Pope Francis, an Argentine, confirms he’ll be neutral during World Cup

In this image from video, Pope Francis records a World Cup message on Thursday Though the Argentine loves football, he has pledged to stay neutral during the tournament. (THE ASSOCIATED PRESS)

VATICAN CITY — He recently renewed his Argentine passport and remains an official card-carrying member of his favourite Buenos Aires football club. But Pope Francis has pledged absolute neutrality for the World Cup.

Francis recalled during an interview published Friday with the Barcelona newspaper “La Vanguardia,” that Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff had asked him during a February visit to the Vatican to at least be neutral during the competition.

On Thursday, Francis issued a video message pep talk to players and fans alike, urging them to make the World Cup a showcase for teamwork and solidarity and not an exhibition of racism, individualism and greed.